You can tout either Venus Williams or Jennifer Capriati. But if you ask Martina Hingis, she’s as good as anybody. And Hingis still has the computer ranking to prove it.

After destroying Czech protégé Daja Bedanova, 6-2, 6-0, in a 42-minute U.S. Open quarterfinal yesterday, the top-seeded Hingis defended her title as the best player on tour.

That position may be up for grabs after this weekend, depending on computer permutations of matches yet to be played. Many people already believe either Williams (Wimbledon champ) or Capriati (Australian and French) should already be ranked No. 1.

“I think I have proven myself over the last four years,” said an upbeat Hingis before her doubles match with Capriati. “I’ve been most consistent.

“Maybe not always have won, but I won the most, and that’s why I was No. 1.”

Asked directly twice whether she’s the best player, she told the press, “Well, that’s up for you to decide, not me,” and, “I think I have no answer to that, no.”

Hingis, the first player to reach the semifinals, landed 72 percent of her first serves. She dominated an 18-year-old phenom coming off an upset of seventh-seeded Monica Seles.

Bedanova stayed at Hingis’ house as a 10- or 11-year-old and used to hit with her, but didn’t possess the firepower that Hingis is used to. Her first-serve percentage was 42 percent, and she had as many total points (22) as unforced errors.

“I was actually surprised today,” Hingis said. “It’s like the balls are actually coming at me at a slower pace.

“I mean, they’re long and deep. But I still welcome this game with open arms.”

Hingis now must face Serena Williams, a 6-3, 6-7, 7-5 winner over Lindsay Davenport last night. Hingis first achieved her No. 1 ranking on March 31, 1997, and she holds a 53-12 record this season.

But Venus Williams is the defending U.S. Open champion and has won three of the last five Grand Slams. Capriati, currently second in the world, is as formidable as anyone. Hingis was asked about whether she wanted to “protect” her ranking.

“These days it’s more of winning the tournament,” she said. “It’s not only the ranking.

“If I would win the tournament, I also save my position. That’s both in one.”